CDTC TrailFest 2026 | Steamboat Springs, CO

TrailFest 2026 with the Continental Divide Trail Coalition

Date: September 4-6, 2026

Location: Steamboat Springs, CO

Come celebrate the Continental Divide Trail and its connection to the local community of Steamboat Springs as the “hiker bubble” comes through Colorado! Events throughout the weekend will include educational opportunities with the Yampa Valley Crane Festival, a kickoff party, community stewardship event, vendor expo, and the last FREE Concert Series of the summer. Designed to meet people where they are during the busy hiking season, the program will engage concertgoers, local residents, and visitors—many of whom may be unfamiliar with the CDT—with accessible, inclusive, and family-friendly activities. The event promotes awareness of the trail, fosters local pride in Steamboat Springs’ designation as a CDT Gateway Community, and encourages long-term engagement through volunteerism and stewardship geared towards trail completion efforts at Muddy Pass, the last major gap along the CDT in Colorado.

Tentative Event Schedule:

• 9/4 – 9/6: Yampa Valley Crane Festival events – sign up here to check out all the awesome educational activities going on over the weekend.
  • Friday: 1 – 2:15 p.m. – “Indigenous Peoples of The American Southwest and Their Relationships with Sandhill Crane” (By Van Graham – Retired wildlife biologist and expert on the Rocky Mountain Population of Greater Sandhill Cranes – Location: Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library)
  • Friday: 4 – 6 p.m. – Crane Festival Happy Hour (Co-hosted by Crane Trust and the International Crane Foundation – Location: The Press, 1009 Lincoln Ave., Steamboat Springs)
  • Friday: 6:15 – 7:30 p.m. – Film: A Young Crane’s Long Journey (Location: Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library)
• Saturday 9/5 at 9am-1pm: Community Stewardship event at Three Island Trailhead near the Seedhouse campground. Get ready to help clear some trail corridor and explore the beautiful Elk River valley.
  • Register here for this project! If trail work isn’t your thing, check out the Fish Creek Falls Guided Bird Walk from 8:30-10:30am. (Currently on a waitlist.) Led by Sue Riffe, the Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition in partnership with Yampatika, this guided bird walk at scenic Fish Creek Falls also serves as an important connector trail to the CDT.
• Saturday 9/5 at 6-8pm: TrailFest Kickoff Party with Storm Peak Brewing. You won’t want to miss a chance to win awesome door prizes from Big Agnes, Osprey, Mountainsmith, Eagle Creek, Katabatic Gear, and more! Plus $1.00 of every purchased beer that evening goes back to support the CDT!
  • RSVP here to let us know you are coming!
• Sunday 9/6 at 10am: 10K at 10,000 Feet Race – for all the runners out there, get ready for a family friendly 5K and 10K race along the CDT near Rabbit Ears. Visit Steamboat Running Series website for more info.
  • CDTC will run a volunteer shuttle for hikers from Rabbit Ears Trailhead back down to town after the start of the event. It’s a great time to hitch a ride into Steamboat Springs!
• Sunday 9/6 at 1-4pm: TrailFest Expo at Howelson Hill – come engage with local organizations and outdoor retail partners that make the trail community a special place! Come get your camping/hiking gear repaired by Big Agnes, meet the team at Yamaptika, and make sure to claim your freebie “Backpacker Bundles” from the Steamboat Chamber of Commerce!
  • RSVP here to let us know if you can make.
• Sunday 9/6 at 6-9pm: Steamboat FREE Concert series at the base of Howelson Hill – enjoy the end of summer jam with Anders Osborne with food trucks, drinks, and thousands of your new best friends.
  • For lodging options, Spring Hill suites is offering a discount for TrailFest attendees at their locations. Also check out the FAQ section of the TrailFest landing page. 

We can’t wait to connect with all the CDT supporters, hikers, volunteers, and community partners in the Colorado region. More info can be found on the TrailFest landing page. 

A big thanks to our sponsors, including Big Agnes, Osprey, and the Yampa Valley Community Foundation. CDTC TrailFest was funded in part by a Yampa Valley Community Foundation 2025 Community Grant Fund. If you would like to become an event sponsor or TrailFest Expo vendor, please reach out to [email protected] for more info or click here.